Brazilian club Corinthians are to swap ex-AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato for former Brazil midfielder Jadson in an exchange deal with rivals Sao Paulo.

Alexandre Pato has struggled to produce his best form for Corinthians.

Corinthians’ director of football, Ronaldo Ximenes, told the Brazilian media on Wednesday evening: “There is nothing certain, but there is a possibility.”

Corinthians coach Mano Menezes later added: “If we have decided to do this, you understand that we consider it to be a positive thing. The arrival of Jadson gives us the chance to do what we want to do, and it is positive for Pato as well.

“Sao Paulo thought the same as us. Everyone involved, under the circumstances, understood that this was a positive move to improve things for everyone.”

However, Menezes denied that the incident had prompted the transfer and said the decision was about building “a new group, new players, a different formation.”

Corinthians paid about 15 million euros to sign Alexandre Pato from AC Mlian in 2013 in what was one of the biggest transfers in the history of Brazilian football. The 24-year-old striker has struggled, however, and never became a starter at the popular club.

Jadson, 30, was a member of Brazil's squad that won the 2013 Confederations Cup, but has struggled to produce his best form recently.